Pitchers Duel Ends in Biscuits Loss

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A pitchers duel finished in a battle of the bullpens as the Biscuits (24-27) fell 4-1 to the Jacksonville Suns (20-31) Tuesday night at the Baseball Grounds.

 

Jared Mortensen dueled Jake Esch (4-3) for most of the game. Mortensen went six scoreless-innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. Esch one-upped Mortensen by going seven innings and not allowing a run for the win.

 

The Suns broke a scoreless-tie in the seventh inning with a two out, two-run double by Danny Black. Jacksonville added two more runs in the eighth inning to lead 4-0.

 

The Biscuits avoided being shutout when Justin O'Conner stroked an RBI-double with two outs in the ninth inning. With runners on second and third and Joey Rickard representing the potential tying run, the Suns went to their closer Sean Donatello. The right-hander induced a game ending ground out to earn his league leading 13th save of the season.

 

The middle-game of the series is at 12:05 CT Wednesday. RH Jaime Schultz will throw for the Biscuits while the Suns will have RH Austin Brice on the mound.